Newark opens second 'Center of Hope' for city girls

Newark mayor Ras Baraka announced today the creation of a new community center.

NEWARK -- Newark officials celebrated today the opening of a new community center geared toward young women.

The center, located at 179 Boyd Street, will provide mentorship, recreational activities and career counseling for city girls.

The programming will be run by Newark GALS Inc., a nonprofit organization that supports girls in the city from age 12 through college.

"We need to be working hard to get young people to be in this building," said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka during a press conference this afternoon. "We are going to need to open many more throughout the city."

The Center is one of the nine rec centers, the Baraka administration has dubbed "Centers of Hope." Some will occupy empty city- or county-owned buildings, while others will occupy existing open recreation centers, according to the mayor.

The programming includes referrals to health services, performing arts programming, mentoring, computer programming classes among other programs. There will also be computers and free WiFi available.

The center will be open on weekdays from 3 p.m. until 8p.m.. On Saturday, it will be open from 11 a.m. until 3p.m., according to Newark GALS Inc. founder Genique Hamilton.